OCR GCSE History B (J411) — The Mughal Empire (1526–1707)
Ruling an empire where approximately 80–90% of your subjects follow a different religion to you requires extraordinary political skill. Akbar understood that to unify his diverse lands, he needed to stand above sectarian divides as a neutral "father figure" to all. His first major step in this intellectual journey was establishing the Ibadat Khana (House of Worship) in 1575 at his newly built capital, Fatehpur Sikri.
Initially, Akbar only invited orthodox Sunni Muslim scholars, known as the Ulama, to debate Islamic law. However, he quickly grew frustrated with their narrow-mindedness and constant arguing. In 1578, he boldly opened the debates to scholars of all faiths, actively seeking out "absolute truth" and trying to prove that no single religion had a monopoly on it.
He invited Hindu scholars, Catholic Jesuits like Rodolfo Acquaviva, Jain monks such as Hir Vijay Suri, Zoroastrians, Sikhs, and even atheists. Despite being illiterate—possibly due to dyslexia—Akbar had a personal library of over 24,000 volumes read aloud to him daily. He also created a translation department to translate major Sanskrit texts like the Mahabharata and Ramayana into Persian, aiming to foster mutual understanding across cultures.
Financial discrimination is a quick way to breed resentment among a conquered population. Recognising this, Akbar made sweeping changes to taxation to win the loyalty of his non-Muslim subjects, known legally as Dhimmis.
In 1563, he abolished the deeply unpopular pilgrimage tax placed on Hindus visiting sacred sites like Mathura, even though it cost the state "crores" of revenue. A year later, in 1564, he abolished the Jizya, a mandatory yearly poll tax levied on all non-Muslims.
Removing the Jizya was a vital political necessity for unification. It immediately ended the "second-class citizen" status of the Hindu majority, securing their loyalty. Furthermore, it allowed Akbar to efficiently integrate the powerful Rajputs—a fiercely independent Hindu warrior caste—into his imperial army without them feeling subjugated.
Religious leaders often wielded as much power as kings in the 16th century, and Akbar knew the orthodox Ulama threatened his vision of a unified state. To neutralise their political power, he issued the Infallibility Decree, or Mahzar Namah, in 1579. This decree made Akbar the "supreme arbiter" in all religious disputes, officially transitioning him from a mere student of religion to a spiritual leader who could overrule the clergy.
With his supreme authority established, Akbar implemented his core philosophical principle: Sulh-i-kul, meaning "Universal Peace." This was a state policy of absolute religious toleration. Under Sulh-i-kul, no faith could be persecuted, and all religions were expected to live harmoniously under the protective wing of the Mughal state.
How do you blend the best parts of five different religions into one cohesive system? In 1582, Akbar attempted exactly this by creating the Din-i-Ilahi (Divine Faith). This was not a mass religion, but rather an elite spiritual order designed to create a shared moral code of honesty, piety, and absolute loyalty to the Emperor.
Din-i-Ilahi was a perfect example of Syncretism, blending elements from multiple faiths:
Disciples of this order greeted each other with "Allah-u-Akbar" (God is Great / God is Akbar). Although it only ever had about 18 to 20 elite followers—including key advisors like Birbal and Abul Fazl—it successfully established the ideology of a secular-leaning state.
Explain how Akbar's abolition of the Jizya tax helped to unify the Mughal Empire.
Step 1: Identify the policy and its immediate effect.
Step 2: Explain the intermediate social impact.
Step 3: Link directly to political unification.
Akbar's religious tolerance was not just an act of kindness; it was a highly effective administrative strategy. His policies allowed him to build a meritocratic Mansabdari System, where ranks were awarded based on skill rather than religion. Capable Hindus were promoted to the highest levels of government, such as Raja Todar Mal (Finance Minister) and Raja Man Singh (a top general).
He also used his tolerant stance to forge powerful matrimonial alliances. Akbar married several Hindu princesses, most notably Jodha Bai (Mariam-uz-Zamani), the daughter of Raja Bharmal of Amer. Crucially, he allowed these women to openly practice Hinduism within the royal palace. Supported by his chief ideologue, Abul Fazl (author of the Akbarnama), Akbar proved that religious inclusivity was the ultimate tool for imperial expansion and stability.
Students often state that Akbar forced his subjects to convert to Din-i-Ilahi. This is incorrect; it was a voluntary, elite spiritual path with only around 18-20 followers.
Do not confuse Sulh-i-kul with Din-i-Ilahi. Sulh-i-kul was the broad, empire-wide policy of religious peace, whereas Din-i-Ilahi was a specific religious order for Akbar's inner circle.
When answering 'Explain' questions, examiners want you to explicitly link Akbar's personal curiosity (his search for knowledge at the Ibadat Khana) to his political goal of stopping religious infighting and unifying a diverse population.
To access the highest marks, use specific terminology like 'Mahzar Namah' to demonstrate exactly how Akbar stripped the orthodox clergy of their political power.
Ibadat Khana
A 'House of Worship' built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri, originally for Islamic debate but later opened to scholars of all religions to resolve spiritual differences.
Fatehpur Sikri
The capital city built by Akbar, which served as the intellectual and political centre of his empire during the development of his religious policies.
Ulama
The orthodox Muslim clergy and scholars of Islamic law, whose political power Akbar sought to diminish.
Dhimmis
Non-Muslim subjects living within a state governed by Islamic law.
Jizya
A mandatory yearly poll tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects, which Akbar abolished in 1564 to promote equality.
Rajputs
A fierce Hindu warrior caste from Northern India whom Akbar successfully integrated into his military and administration through his tolerant policies.
Mahzar Namah
The 1579 Infallibility Decree that declared Akbar the supreme arbiter in all religious disputes, effectively bypassing the authority of the Ulama.
Sulh-i-kul
Akbar's broad state policy of 'Universal Peace' and absolute religious toleration, ensuring all faiths could coexist harmoniously.
Din-i-Ilahi
An elite, syncretic spiritual order introduced by Akbar in 1582 to unify his closest advisors through a shared moral code and loyalty to the Emperor.
Syncretism
The blending of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought into a new, unified system.
Mansabdari System
The administrative and military framework of the Mughal Empire, which Akbar made highly meritocratic by promoting skilled individuals regardless of their religion.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for History B
Ibadat Khana
A 'House of Worship' built by Akbar at Fatehpur Sikri, originally for Islamic debate but later opened to scholars of all religions to resolve spiritual differences.
Fatehpur Sikri
The capital city built by Akbar, which served as the intellectual and political centre of his empire during the development of his religious policies.
Ulama
The orthodox Muslim clergy and scholars of Islamic law, whose political power Akbar sought to diminish.
Dhimmis
Non-Muslim subjects living within a state governed by Islamic law.
Jizya
A mandatory yearly poll tax historically levied on non-Muslim subjects, which Akbar abolished in 1564 to promote equality.
Rajputs
A fierce Hindu warrior caste from Northern India whom Akbar successfully integrated into his military and administration through his tolerant policies.
Mahzar Namah
The 1579 Infallibility Decree that declared Akbar the supreme arbiter in all religious disputes, effectively bypassing the authority of the Ulama.
Sulh-i-kul
Akbar's broad state policy of 'Universal Peace' and absolute religious toleration, ensuring all faiths could coexist harmoniously.
Din-i-Ilahi
An elite, syncretic spiritual order introduced by Akbar in 1582 to unify his closest advisors through a shared moral code and loyalty to the Emperor.
Syncretism
The blending of different religions, cultures, or schools of thought into a new, unified system.
Mansabdari System
The administrative and military framework of the Mughal Empire, which Akbar made highly meritocratic by promoting skilled individuals regardless of their religion.
